University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
NCAA Championships
Karl Thiessen Finishes Top Half At NCAA Cross Country Championships
November 20, 2021 | Track & Field
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Tennessee senior Karl Thiessen finished in the top half of the field at the NCAA Cross Country Championships Saturday morning, placing 125th out of 250 runners. Thiessen ran the 10K course at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, Florida, in 30:22.2.
Thiessen's finish is the best by a Vol at the NCAA meet since Peter Okwera placed 30th in 2012.
"Karl ran back-to-back 10K races for the first time in his life," director of track & field/cross country Beth Alford-Sullivan said. "It was a difficult race and he did a great job moving through it. He got buried a little bit off the line, but he moved through the pack and accomplished his goal of finishing in the upper half of the field."
Thiessen was an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Championships following a strong 2021 campaign. He was especially strong to close the season, finishing 14th and seventh, respectively, at the SEC Championships and NCAA South Regional.
The Abingdon, Virginia, native also finished second at the Tennessee dual and 13th at the Roy Griak Invitational.
"Karl has had a tremendous season," Alford-Sullivan said. "He has really grown in this program. Coming out of high school, Karl didn't have all of the credentials that some of the other kids did. We took a chance on him and he took a chance on us and that relationship has been nurtured and he has evolved into one of the top SEC and South Region runners."
Lady Vol Sydney Seymour was also an automatic qualifier for the NCAA meet but was forced to withdraw after picking up an illness upon arriving in Tallahassee.
"This ranks up there as one of my hardest coaching days," Alford-Sullivan said. "The unfortunate situation for Sydney, getting sick last night and that carried over into the morning. It was just very unfortunate timing. She has been a champion in managing everything, but it has been a difficult day for her and the Lady Vols. I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished this season and it is unfortunate we didn't get to see it through."
The NCAA Championships mark the close of the cross country season. The Vols and Lady Vols will now turn their attention to the 2022 indoor season which begins January 14.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee cross country and track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter and Instagram.
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